Washington State Library News
For people nostalgic for newspapers of bygone eras, a number of Washington newspapers past have been digitized by the National Digital Newspaper Program and can be searched and viewed on the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America website [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/]. The Washington State Library is helping the project by digitizing another 100,000 pages for the last phase of the project. (Tri-City Herald [Kennewick], 4.1.13) http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/03/31/2336650/old-newspapers-including-tri-cities.html

Library News
The Tonasket Library Board held their annual volunteer appreciation luncheon in March. The invitations go to those volunteers who help with the twice yearly book sales put on by the Tonasket Library Board. Proceeds from the winter book sale funded the purchase of a new copier that is used by both staff and library patrons. (Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune [Oroville], 3.28.13)

Tacoma City Council and the Tacoma Library Board met on April 30th at City Hall to discuss the strategic plan for the Tacoma Public Library. Immediately following the joint study session, City of Tacoma staff provided an update on the close of the 2011/2012 biennium budget. (Tacoma Daily Index, 4.29.13)

Elections
For Chewelah city residents to continue to use any library in the Stevens County, voters must approve the proposal for the Chewelah Public Library annexation that will be on the April 23 special election ballot. Only city residents will vote on this issue. (The Independent [Chewelah], 3.28.13)

Buildings
In an intense meeting, King County Library System staff and consultants Tuesday night presented the Renton community with two options for the interior space planning of a new downtown library. A majority of those attending did not participate in KCLS’ small-group discussions, instead demanding the design team address the huge crowd’s concerns as a whole. (Photos) (Renton Reporter, 3.29.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/news/200289621.html?mobile=true

The probability of passing a Port Townsend library expansion bond has been explored twice by library administration. Two conclusions arising from these surveys are the weak support for a library expansion bond during the current economic recession and the need to involve the community in the planning process. Why has the library administration ignored the advice of its own surveys? (The Leader [Port Townsend], 3.27.13)

It probably should come as no surprise that an open house presented by the King County Library System was filled with rancor, frustration and shouting. And, some pretty important information. (Renton Reporter, 3.29.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/200629511.html

I read Tracey Compton’s March 21 article about library design … The article states “Now KCLS officials are urging caution when talking about the design elements of the downtown library because they say it’s too early in the process.” It is nonsense to urge such caution. In fact, it’s misleading. Right now is the time to be very concerned about KCLS’s intention. (Renton Reporter, 3.29.13) http://www.rentonreporter.com/opinion/letters/199952411.html

The City of Ferndale has a bond election for the new Ferndale library coming up on April 23. Your “yes” vote will put us at fundraising goal, retain the $250,000 Norcliffe Grant (which expires in August), and meet the $2 million matching grants to the fullest extent. Support the library that supports Ferndale. Join with me in voting “yes” in April! (Bellingham Herald, 4.2.13) http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2013/04/01/2942056/asks-voters-to-support-ferndale.html

Our hats are off to the city of Vancouver and its residents for the beautiful new library building in downtown. We were enticed to head over the Interstate 5 bridge and experience it when we sat in on the #nextchapter [http://hashnextchapter.com] series of workshops from Dene Grigar and the Fort Vancouver Regional Library that ran for the past couple of months. (The Columbian [Vancouver], 4.24.13) http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/apr/24/letter-vancouver-library-top-notch/

People
The Spokane Public Library will get a new leadership just as its funding stabilizes after years of uncertainty. Pat Partovi, who has led the library since 2003, will retire May 10. The process to pick Partovi’s successor is well under way. (Photo) (Spokesman Review [Spokane], 3.22.13) http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/22/library-getting-new-chief/

It’s those adults in their 20s and 30s, the no-longer-teenager but not-yet parents crowd, libraries are struggling to reach, said Audrey Barbakoff, the adult services librarian at Bainbridge Library, a part of Kitsap Regional Library. This month, Library Journal named Barbakoff one of its 50 Movers & Shakers for 2013, a list recognizing innovators in the library industry. (Photos) (The Kitsap Sun [Bremerton], 4.1.13) http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/mar/31/bainbridge-librarian-earns-national-attention-to/#axzz2SoZJWOBI

Programs & Displays
Pierce county residents will have an opportunity to participate in the Pierce County READS program by reading “The Paris Wife,” written by internationally known author Paula McLain. The book chronicles Ernest Hemingway’s life through the eyes of his first wife, Hadley Richardson. The Pierce County READS program begins now and runs through May 17th. (The Herald [Puyallup], 3.27.13) http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/03/27/2531608/library-system-announces-new-reads.html

[This summary of library news was created by Leanna Hammond of the Washington State Library Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. It represents a selection of newspaper clippings about Washington libraries from all Washington newspapers received in the packets on the dates shown. For more information about any of these stories, contact Martha Shinners at 360.570.5567 or martha.shinners@sos.wa.gov]